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TORONTO \u2014 Jana Elbrecht, senior policy advisor at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to Build Canada Homes\u2019 newly released <\/em>Investment Policy Framework<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are pleased to see the framework recognize that new affordable housing should avoid unnecessary emissions and remain affordable to operate in the long term. We look forward to seeing how these priorities will be put into practice as specific investment criteria for all projects going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Build Canada Homes Policy Framework includes a commitment to support low-carbon building materials and efficient design, which our research<\/a> shows can cut both carbon and cost. As embodied emissions now make up the majority<\/a> of an efficient, electrified building\u2019s lifetime emissions, choosing the right building materials and processes matters. Choosing low-carbon is often also choosing Canadian, supporting frontrunners in our material industries as they move toward cleaner production.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe also welcome the framework\u2019s emphasis on energy efficiency and climate performance. Efficient homes cost less to heat and cool, saving households money on their energy bills from the first day they move in and every month thereafter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAn important opportunity the framework misses, however, is an explicit requirement for new homes to be built ready for an electrified future. This would include ensuring homes are EV-ready<\/a> and energy smart<\/a>, and, where cost-efficient, choosing an efficient electrified heat pump system from the start. Doing so not only reduces ongoing energy costs but can also make it easier for households to access and benefit from other money-saving technologies like smart thermostats and at-home EV charging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaking homes climate resilient also means ensuring the families that live in them have access to cooling during ever-hotter and more dangerous summers. The government can lead by example by making every cooling system a heat pump in homes built as part of the Build Canada Homes initiative. A heat pump functions like a two-way air conditioning system, offering both affordable heating as well as cooling, and can be paired with a gas or electric system where it is cost-efficient to do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPublic dollars should support homes that are truly affordable and that do not lock us into unnecessary emissions. With the right requirements in place, Canada can build homes that are ready for a clean energy future while cutting emissions from day one.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nKEY FACTS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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